Iβm holding my phone. Restless, I visit Facebook for the fifth time, going through old posts. When I get tired, I stop and pull my laptop close and add a few words to a blog post Iβve been working on for days. I stop after a paragraph and visit my phone again, my eyes darting to the door that leads to the fast food joint Iβm chilling in.
She is late. Why is she late? Did she change her mind? Is she held in traffic?
A couple of uni girls in a corner who before now were taking selfies, are presently throwing glances my way.
Itβs my reading glasses. I always get female attention when I have them on. Honey says Iβm cuter and more approachable with them but who cares about these things? Itβs not like one leaves the house with plans to seduce peopleβs daughters. Actually, I donβt even wear the darn things anywhere, except on the rare occasion that I need to work outside the office. And that is what happens today.
Earlier, I left the hospital when Amata told me over the phone that she would honor my lunch date invitation. Knowing I would be here before her, I pick my laptop to finish up unfinished business on my blog. But restlessness has not let me do anything.
And this is no date, by the way. Amata and I are not getting into anything. Zanzibar was a stupid mistake, one that would not let me have a good nightβs rest. I barely slept a wink last night. To ward off any suspicions, I told Honey I had a backlog of things I needed to do on my blog. I turned down her offer for sex. Imagine! Just because I was restless.
And I still am.
The entrance doors push open and Amata walks in. I breathed out the first batch of relieving breaths.
Amata is frowning as she comes to me. She is with my her baby. Being the gentleman I am, I stand and pull out her chair but she declines and points to one of them tables that have longer leather chairs facing them. The one she points to is beside a window. We walk there and sit. She places her baby beside her.
βIs this meeting necessary?β she questions in annoyance.
I smile. Her frown gets uglier. βYou look finer when you smile,β I say.
βReally? This is why Iβm here? So that you will start looking for ways to get back into my pants?β
βNo.β
βJide, that night was awesome. Your dick was out of this world. It really was, but I have long forgotten you. Please, move on.β
As much as itβs a relief to hear her say she has moved on, I feel somewhat offended. Women do not forget me like that. Yes, Iβm saying this with all self-importance. I know what I do to them, and Amata is just being petty for reasons best known to her.
βIβve moved on,β I tell her. βMy marriage is awesome. My wife is the best thing that ever happened to meβ¦.β
βThen why are we here?β
I look at her baby.
βSeriously, when my sister said you called and asked for my number, I was like what is wrong with this guy? Canβt he understand that I donβt want him anymore?β
βMadam, calm down. Meanwhile, your baby is tired of sitting that way.β
She lifts the little angel and places her on her laps.
βYour baby is mine,β I say to her without flinching.
βYou canβt be serious!β
βI am.β
βJide, I was already pregnant when we had sex. She was born in July. Satisfied?β
βYou were pregnant and cheated on your guy with me?β
βAre we going down that road?β
βNo.β
βSo why am I here, Jide? I am asking for the last time.β
βI want to do a DNA test to rule out the possibility that she is not my baby.β
Amataβs jaw plunges down.
βWhatβs her name, though?β
βAre you kidding me?!β
βCalm down.β
βA DNA test?!β
βLower your voice.β
βJideofor, what is wrong with you? She is not yours.β
βI donβt believe that. She looks like my daughter. Look.β
I get out my phone and show her a photo in which I have put her baby and Jiney side by side.
βSee their smiles and their eyes? Look at my eyes. See that?β
Amata is too shocked to speak. She is glaring at me like she wants to bang my head to the table.
βIβm really sorry about all of this,β I tell her. βI donβt mean to spoil things for you but know that Iβve been restless since yesterday and itβs going to get worse until I am sure that she is not mine.β
Amata jumps to her feet. βYouβre out of your mind, Jideofor. Donβt ever call me again! I mean it! If you do, Iβll tell your wife everything. Her name is Honey, right?β
I widen my eyes.
βYouβre not the only one who can be creepy, so stay away from me. Iβm warning you.β
She begins out and I stop her dead with my words.
βMy wife knows already.β
She turns.
βShe knows about us. Does your husband know?β
βIs that a threat? Youβre going to tell him?β
βThatβs not a threat. Hereβs the threat, Amata: Iβm willing to take this far, just to clear my conscience.β
βWhat does that mean?β
βI will go as far as getting permission from the court to have this DNA done. I donβt care how long it takes. So, Iβll advise you to work with me here, let us do it quietly and quickly.β
I watch her loose her inflexibility in a silent sigh. βSheβs not yours, Jide.β
βYouβre sure of that, Amata. But I am not. Give me the chance to have my own peace of mind. Please.β
She ponders on her options for some seconds before saying, βHow fast can we do the test?β
I breathe out in relief a second time.
ββββΒ ββββΒ ββββ
βMy name is Zuwaira Suleiman.β
Wura feels an instant painful knot in her tummy. The woman before her canβt possibly be Mahmudβs wife. It has to be a sick joke going terribly wrong by each second. A bitter taste comes to her mouth as anger and sadness fill her in one blow.
βTokunboh has spoken so much about you and itβs a privilege to finally meet youβ¦β
Zuwaira stops abruptly as her eyes fix to the front door. Wura follows her stare and finds Mahmud, or rather, a gaunt version of him standing by the door. He has an irate expression on his face and it is directed at Zuwaira.
βHi Wura,β he greets, refusing to take his eyes off Zuwaira.
βTokunboh, please, whatβs going on here? Who is she?β
βTell her who you are,β Mahmud says to Zuwaira.
βNo, Iβd rather tell her what youβve been up to.β
βWhatβs going on?β Wura repeats.
βWhat Iβve been up to is nobodyβs business Zuwaira,β Mahmud states and looks at Wura. βMami, letβs go.β
βIβm not going anywhere.β
βExactly. She stays. And Iβll tell her everything.β
βAre you out of your mind?!β Mahmud loses his cool. His next words are uttered in Hausa. Zuwaira yells back and all Wura can do is sit and watch. The yelling goes on for some time until Mahmud marches towards Wura and snatches her hand. She yanks it back.
βIβm not going anywhere, Tokunboh! I want to know what is going on here, and if you wonβt tell me, let her do it!β
βFine!β
Mahmud storms out, slamming the front door. Wura looks at Zuwaira.
βStart talking, aunty. Who are you to him? Are you his wife?β
βWife?β Zuwaira puts out a look of confusion that lasts a couple of seconds before it transforms into a smile. βOh, no, no, no. Iβm not his wife. I am his cousin.β
Brakes are put on Wuraβs supposition. βHis cousin?β
βYes. Our late fathers were brothers.β
βOh!β Wura puts a hand to her mouth. βYou are Zuwaira! I remember you now. We once spoke on the phone. You called on his birthday.β
Zuwaira smiles again. βYes.β
Relief comes to Wura like a cool shower on a hot day.
βIβm so sorry. I thoughtβ¦β
βItβs fine. I know you and Tokunboh broke up… And all that stuff I was saying about the condoms was directed at my husband. I thought he was the one that walked in when you came.β
βOh.β
βBuba and I just got married. Weβre not ready to have kids but weβve been careless with family planning.β
βI understand.β
βAbout Mahmudβ¦β Zuwairaβs face becomes serious. βItβs been really hard on him. And thatβs why I want us to talk.β
βOkay?β
βYou wonβt like what youβre about to hear. He doesnβt want me to tell you this.β
βPlease, speak.β
βMy husband is going to scold me for this but I just have to let it out.β Zuwaira pulls out from her seat and rests on its edge.
βBuba and I just moved in from Sokoto. He got a job here, so I had to come with him. Iβm also looking for a job myself. When we came to Lagos, it was hard finding a house, so Tokunboh offered us the spare room here and told us to stay for as long as we wanted. A few days later, he called Buba and told him he had actually just renewed the rent.β
βYeah, it had expired. He was planning to renew it before we broke up.β
βOkay, so he said we could pay him like half of what he paid and take the house. Buba was worried and almost turned down the offer but Tokunboh insisted. I was happy myself. The rent is affordable and we were getting it at half the amount. I begged Buba to take the offer. After much forming, he agreed. We paid and got all our things in.
βA few days later, Tokunboh came to tell us that he wanted to take the furniture and electronics to his new place. We said no problem. But when Buba offered to help so that he could follow him to his house and know the place, he refused. By evening, some guy came and cleared everything.
βTokunboh then told us to give him some time to move out, that his new place was not yet ready. We didnβt mind. If anything, we were grateful for all he had done to help. But two weeks later, he was still here. I watched as he withdrew from Buba whom he used to gist a lot with. He would enter his room and lock himself in, refusing to eat anything I give him, staying away from us. We became worried, especially when I saw that he was taking medication. I didnβt know what it was for. The container was unlabeled.β
Wura makes no comment about the drugs. She is not sure she can trust Zuwaira enough to tell her that Mahmud suffers from ADHD and sometimes has to medicate himself for his own good. But Wura is more worried about the fact that he is back to taking the drugs he had stopped taking for a long time.
βAnyway, we didnβt question him. We became observant and soon, Buba started to suspect that he was gambling. I then told him that Mahmud once fell into a serious gambling problem in the past when his wife died. The family even had to take him to rehab.β
βThatβs new. He never told me.β
βWellβ¦β Zuwaira shows an apologetic expression.
βItβs fine. Go on.β
βJust last week, when I went for a job interview I saw Tokunbohβs car with some chick in town. When I asked him about it, he said he sold it to her. Me, I couldnβt hold it in anymore. I told him I knew he was gambling and begged him to stop. Tokunboh went mad. Raving angry. I was even scared that heβd hit me. But he didnβt. He told me not to butt into his life and that he was leaving. So, he packed his things and left.β
Zuwaira ends in a depressing note that reflects Wuraβs current mood.
βIβve been trying to find a way to get your number to call youβ¦ Itβs God that brought you here. Please, whatever he did to you, Wura, I beg you to forgive him. Take him back. Heβs broken. I feel so sad seeing him that way. Heβs an elder brother to me. Please, just let everything go and forgive him.β
Wura smiles in irony.
βBuba doubts that he even has a place to stay. He suspects that he sleeps in the hospital. But I refuse to believe that Tokunboh would lie to me like that. Heβs not the type.β
βHeβs not.β
βPlease, forgive him.β
βIβll talk to him. Thank you so much, Zuwaira. This means a lot.β
βIβm happy you came. Will you stay and eat?β
βNo dear. I have to rush.β
βOkay. By the way, Bilal is cuteness overload.β
Wura gives a proud laugh. βThank you.β
βHis energy isβ¦wow! You dey try.β
βYou donβt want to know the half of it.β
βMy love to him sha.β
βOkay, Zuwaira.β Wura stands up. βThank you. And please, greet your husband for me.β
βHeβll hear.β
Zuwaira walks her to the door where she apologizes for not going further because she is not properly covered.
Wura strolls to where her car is parked and finds Mahmud waiting beside it. Their eyes lock for some seconds before Mahmud speaks.
βWhatever she told youβ¦β
Wura raises her hand, stopping him. βYou need to eat. You need a hot bath and a lot of sleep.β
She opens the passenger door for him.
βPlease, get into the car.β
Mahmud does as he is told. Wura shuts the door and walks over to the driverβs side.
The trip to Wuraβs house is silent. Neither of them makes an attempt to spark up conversation. But Wura would stare at him from time to time.
When they arrive at her house, Bilal runs out to greet her, but when he spots his father, he abandons her and leaps into Mahmudβs arms.
Wura runs a bath for Mahmud and afterwards, makes dinner. They eat together as a family, Mahmud feeding Bilal. After dinner, Wura clears the dishes while Mahmud spends quality time with Bilal. Wura joins them later and together they put Bilal to sleep. When they retire to her bedroom, they sit and talk. Mahmud tells her how the death of his parents messed him up, especially when he found out that he had been left out of his fatherβs will. His eldest brother, who is also the family lawyer, had explained that the decision to exclude him was made two years ago when Mahmud told the family he was getting married to Wura and not the girl formerly betrothed for him.
βBut Baba gave us his consent,β Wura mentioned, shedding silent tears.
βHe did but never got the chance to amend the will before he died because he was very sick. So imagine me going for a family meeting and everyone is told they are left with this and that and then when it comes to my turn, there is total silence. Imagine the humiliation and feeling of being unloved.β
βBut Uncle Habib sef. He could have amended it since heβs the first son nau,β says Wura, referring to Mahmudβs elder brother. βYouβre the lastborn. In Yorubaland, that means a lot. He could have added you to the will before calling everyone to read it out. Thatβs not fair.β
βHabib is not to blame here, Woo. Nobody is. Itβs just what it is.β Mahmud shrugs. βI always felt like the black sheep. I was too liberal, too stubborn, too opinionated. My brothers and Asma were straight. Devout Muslims. I was a disgrace.β
βDonβt say that, Mahmud.β
βI was. And I still feel that way.β
βNot with meβ¦β
He looks at her, smirks. βAre you sure?β
The meaning in his words sinks in and she comes to the sudden realization that she had been all he had these past two years. She had chosen everything else over him. When he needed her most, she had failed him, just as his family did.
βIβm very sure, Mymood.β She takes his hand.
βGambling gives me control. Thereβs a rush. It makes me feel alive. I donβt do anything with the money. I just throw it back into some new bet and thatβs how everything goes. I lost all of it.β
βWhere have you been staying?β
βWe have a family house here. My siblings, out of the goodness of their hearts, gifted it to me. Iβm on my way to selling it too if you donβt stop me.β
He looks at her. βIβve been taking my drugs to slow me down but nothing has worked. I think I need help.β
βYou do. You need a wife.β
βVery funny.β
βMahmud, you need me. You need me to watch you every day, to help you out of this. I know what it feels like to be unloved, to feel like youβre alone and nobody wants you. I know. And that is why we have to get marriedβ¦β
βYouβre marrying me out of pity?β
βIβm marrying you because I love you. And my love wants to heal you. It wants to undo all the rejection you feel. It wants to love you the way you deserve to be loved.β
βThat would make a nice song.β
Wura grins. She leans over and strokes his beard before pushing her lips through his.
βI almost sold your ring.β
She moves back. βTell me you didnβt.β
Mahmud shoves his left hand into his pocket and takes out her engagement ring. He hands it to her. First, she kisses it and then slides it over her finger.
βMahmud Suleiman?β she calls.
He raises an eyebrow that brings out a smile from her. She always finds him sexy whenever he is in a vulnerable state, which hardly ever happens. He is usually wired. This side of him is definitely brought on by medication but it doesnβt make him any less appealing to her.
βWill you marry me?β she asks.
βAm I allowed to think about it?β
βNo.β
βOkayβ¦ Yes, Iβll marry you.β
She dives for his lips again, pushing him down to the bed where they cuddle and stay up for most of the night, talking. Mahmud eventually falls asleep around 5am. When Wura is sure he wonβt stir, she dresses up and leaves the house.
Some fifteen minutes later, she is standing outside Ralphβs door, thumbing the doorbell.
Ralph comes to the door, wearing nothing but a towel around his waist. He grimaces at Wura.
βAdegbite, it better be that the trumpet has sounded and we both missed rapture and youβre here to hide away from the 666 guys.β
βHuh?β Wura squeezes her face.
βItβs 4am.β
βItβs past five actually.β
Ralph yawns. He moves away from the entrance to let her in.
βI want to get married today,β she utters as she walks into the darkness of his home.
He turns the lights on. She can hear his generator roaring somewhere nearby.
βDid you hear me? I said I want to get married today.β
βOkay nau. Go and marry, let me go back to sleep.β
βIβm serious, Pastor Ralph. I want to get married today and youβre going to do the honor of joining me and Mahmud.β
βYouβre joking.β
βNo.β
Ralph leaves her standing and crashes into a couch in his sitting room. Wura goes after him.
βYou have a license to wed people, donβt you?β
βYeah, but I donβt use it anyhow.β
βOkay. Hear me out, first.β
Wura sits and gives him a lite version of the situation with Mahmud.
βBut I hope you know that marriage changes nothing,β Ralph states. βHeβs still a Muslim and he wonβt stop gambling overnight.β
βHeβs still the man I love and wonβt stop being the father of my son overnight.β
Ralph turns on his side and looks at her. βYouβre sure about this?β
She nods.
βWhy me? Why didnβt you go to the registry or just pick someone else?β
βBecause you need to redeem yourself, Ralph.β
It is the first time she is calling him without adding the βpastorβ honorific. It is accompanied by an intent look into his eyes. He gazes away.
βYouβre suddenly acting like you donβt know what Iβm talking about. Okay. Let me remind you. In Dallas, after our first meeting with Kirk Franklin, you were in an overexcited mood and made an embarrassing attempt to kiss me. You apologized almost immediately and stated that you had zero feelings for me. I overlooked it and neither of us has brought the incident up since. But Iβm doing it now to let you know that you owe me one.β
βI thought you said you had forgiven me for that poor attempt of a kiss.β
βForgiven, not forgotten. But it all depends on you. This is your chance to show me that you truly feel nothing for me and that day was a mistake.β
βIt was, and again, Iβm sorry.β
She stands up.
βSo are you doing it or not?β
He doesnβt reply but accompanies her to the door. βWell, your family and Mahmudβs have already given consent and you guys want this…β
βMore than anything.β
βI think thatβs all thatβs important.β
βYeah.β
βIf officiating your wedding will make you happy, Woo, then Iβm here for you, baby girl.β
βThank you.β
Wura hurries off to her car. Her next destination is the Ditorusins, where she spends a few minutes. By the time she returns home, itβs daylight. Mahmud is awake, watching a video on YouTube of a medical procedure being carried out on a womanβs uterus. Wura sits beside him and takes his phone off his hands. She then tells him of her plans to get married immediately. It is met with laughter.
βIβm not joking.β
βYouβre not.β He stops laughing and grasps her waist, tugging her over to sit on his laps. She hesitates.
βSo are you interested in getting married today?β
βAs long as I get laid immediately after.β
She smacks him and pushes him to the bed, straddling him.
βI would love to walk down the aisle with you this moment, Woo, but you had grand plans for the wedding. Youβre a wedding planner. You deserve the best.β
βI deserve a happy marriage, Mahmud. Iβve been involved with the planning of so many weddings that I have seen a lot of emptiness and showoff. The glitz doesnβt impress me anymore. All I want is you.β
He elevates his body and seeks her lips for a kiss. But she presses her palms on his chest to push him down.
βMarry me and get the entire package tonight.β
βYes, mami.β
ββββΒ ββββΒ ββββ
My brother has never been one to keep secrets. Especially those that have to do with his love life. It is not just in his nature. He tells me everything, including one-night stands and passing crushes. He spills it all to me. And this why I donβt understand why he never told me he was seeing Peace.
βBut I just told you,β he says to me as we wait in the departure lounge of the domestic wing of the Lagos International Airport.
βWow. I could never have guessed something was going on. Peace was soβ¦β
βAmazing.β
I was going to say secretive but the look in his eyes when he uttered the word showed that what they shared was more than just a casual relationship.
βI was crazy about her, Cee.β He rubs the stub on his right hand that once used to be his fore and middle fingers. In his fight against terrorism, he had lost both fingers and has since been taken off the warfront.
βHow did you guys happen?β
βRemember we danced at Maryβs wedding?β
I nod.
βSomething sparked. We exchanged numbers and started chatting a lot. On her birthday, I stopped by with a bottle of champagne.β
βI remember that. I found that rather odd.β
βAnd then when I got injured and came to Lagos to stay, we worked on that chemistry.β
βHow was it?β
He looks at me. βThe best thing that ever happened to my life. Peace was an angel. There was so much love in her heart to give. I didnβt understand it at first. She justβ¦β
He sighs, looks upwards and lets down his head with another sigh.
βShe had a bucket list for this year. Ironically.β He straightens up. βWhen she showed it to me, I said to her, βWhy wait until next year? Life is too short, you know?ββ
Listening to Joey is hard. The sadness Iβve been able to do away with begins to come back.
βSo I offered to help her strike off everything on that list. She wanted to ride a bike, shoot a gun, give a ridiculous amount of money to a random beggar on the streets, learn a martial art, fly in a helicopter, learn sign language, make love in public place, record a song she had been writing for years, spend an entire weekend in an orphanage, test-drive a Ferrariβ¦β
βShe did?β I ask.
Joey nods.
βShe always wanted to drive a Ferrari. Awww, Joey, youβre so sweet. What else did she want to do?β
βVisit India. I couldnβt give her that. And then she wanted a baby.β
βA baby? Waitβ¦ did you get her pregnant?β
βI have no idea.β
Itβs a bittersweet feeling hearing all he just told me.
βShe lived fully before she died, Celia. Iβm happy I gave her that in a short time.β
I canβt speak. My head goes into imagination, creating pictures of what a happy couple they would have been.
βBut why didnβt you guys tell us?β
βPeace was scared of you.β
βMe?β
βShe didnβt think youβd approve.β
βWhy? You guys are adults? I wouldnβt have had any issuesβ¦β
βCee, you can be difficult sometimes. You always mean well but youβre tough.β
It hurts a little to hear him say that.
βSecondly, I think Peace was afraid that we werenβt going to last. She didnβt want me to be Reno all over again. So, she was waiting to see if I was for real.β
I rest my hand on his knee to comfort him. βIβm so sorry, Joey. I canβt imagine what youβre going through.β
βIβll survive.β He places his hand over mine.
A female voice on the PA system announces the final boarding call for a flight heading to Kaduna. Itβs Joeyβs flight. Normally, heβd be on the plane by now.
βYou should go.β
He squeezes my hand before standing up.
βThank Shady for being a good host, and remind him that I owe him a slap still.β
βJust let it go.β I laugh. βIβve forgiven him.β
βIf it wasnβt that he hasnβt done well for himself ehnβ¦β
I sneer. He pinches my cheek.
βGive plenty of hugs to Darasimi for me.β
I nod.
βAnd take care of the little one.β
We hug and then he turns away. I watch him leave, slinging his rucksack across his back, his buff body intimidating everyone around him. I remain in my spot until he disappears from sight.
βMay God be with him,β an elderly woman who has been sitting beside us mutters. I look at her.
βAmen.β
I head out of the airport. The air is crisp this morning. I let down the windows of the car and enjoy the gentle wind that flies past. Morning sickness has been a bitch for the past couple of months but Iβm having better mornings these days. Earlier, I was able to prepare chicken stew and efo riro for Bobby without any trace of nausea. The other wives and I have been doing our best to care for him and Reno in any little way we can. From what I hear, he is pulling through faster. As for Reno, all I can say is that people grieve differently. He will get better eventually.
I arrive at Bobbyβs home, which is within the Ikeja area. I park outside and carry the food basket I have come with to his doorstep. Just as I am about to knock on the door, it opens from within and my dearest Naomi steps out. She breaks in her movement when she sees me. I look at her and then at Bobby who is behind her, dressed in his boxers alone.
βGood morning,β I greet.
Naomi moves away from the door before she responds to my greeting. Bobby gives me an uncomfortable smile.
βHi Celia,β he says. βGood morning.β
βI brought something for you.β I pass the basket to him. βHope you like it.β
βThank you. Iβm definitely going to enjoy this. Very thoughtful of you. Thanks.β
βYouβre welcome.β
In an awkward moment that ensues, he holds on to the basket and remains standing. I get the hint that Iβm supposed to leave but I pretend not to understand it. I want him gone, so I can ask Naomi why she is leaving his house at this time of the morning. My insinuations could be wrong but my mind tells me this is more than a lawyer/client visit.
βIβll take this to the kitchen.β Bobby finally gives in.
βYou should.β He turns back in. βAnd emβ¦please turn everything into your own containers so that I can go back with mine. Iβll be waiting! Thank you!β
He goes out of sight. I face Naomi and she decides it is the best time to wear her sunglasses.
βWhat is going on between you two?β
βNothing. Heβs my lawyer.β
βAnd youβre leaving his house this early?β
She stares at her watch. βItβs a few minutes to nine.β
βNay, you are dressed in formal clothes that donβt look fresh. Your face is without makeup, and your hair is a mess.β
She pats her hand over short, bristly hairs.
βIβm guessing this was the outfit you wore to court yesterday. What is going on, Nay?β
She hesitates before she answers me. βI spent the night here.β
I pull back. βYou what?β
She takes off her glasses. βI spent the night with Bobby. Do you have a problem with that?β
βYes.β
βWhy? Last I checked, we were both adults and widowed.β
βLast I checked, he just lost his wife.β
βAnd I lost my husband. Weβre two lonely, grieving people who need each other.β
βNo. He is one lonely, grieving man who is about to be used and dumped by one lesbian who has a history of mental illness and a manslaughter charge on her head.β
βWow.β Naomi displays a sad smile. βCelia, youβre a mean person.β
βI know.β
βSo I now have mental illness? I lose my mind after murdering my husband in self-defense and Iβm now a crazy person?β
Her words make me feel a little guilty.
βBut youβre a lesbian,β I repeat.
βBisexual. And it was just a phase. It could have happened to anyone in my shoes. I was constantly abused by my husband and a woman showed me love I had never felt before. I am not a lesbian, Cee.β
βIβm not judging you for being one, Naomi. I am simply worried about my friend. He just lost his wife. He doesnβt need a casual sex partner right now.β
βI am not a casual sex partner. We are friends and weβre helping each other healβ¦β
βThrough sex? How exactly does that work?β
βAsk Marvin Gaye. He sang about it.β
She begins to walk away. I stop her.
βDonβt use him, Nay.β
βHow are you sure that Iβm not the one being used? That Bobby will not dump me after he uses me to get stronger?β
I have no answer for her.
βOf course, you didnβt think about me, and all Iβve been through this whole time. Somehow, you believe stabbing my husband multiple times with a butter knife and watching him beg for his life was a walk in the park for me. You believe this present moment in my life with court appearances, my in-laws hounding me and the media calling me a coldblooded murderer is heaven on earth.β
She gulps in air and tears suddenly fill her eyes.
βBobby defends me in court, and outside it, he makes me forget Iβm going through hell. I dread the day when the case will be over and heβll have no use of me. But until then, can I be allowed to enjoy him while we last?β
I recall Joeyβs words about how difficult I can be and remorse fills me.
βOf course, Nay. Iβm sorry.β
She wears her sunglasses again. βIβll come see you later.β
I get a peck on my cheek and she is gone. I saunter back to Bobbyβs house. When I walk in, I see him seated on a glass stool, waiting for me with my basket. The house is dark, even in daylight β a reflection of his anguish. Kateβs essence is still so strong that I feel like she would make a sudden appearance from the shadows. I donβt know how Bobby copes.
βIβve not forgotten Kate,β he tells me, βjust in case you think I have.β
βBobby, Iβ¦β
He stops me with a raised hand. βNaomi is not using me and Iβm not using her either. Last night just happened. And it felt good. Thatβs all I can tell you.β
βBobby, you donβt owe me any explanation. I totally understand.β
βYou have your husband, Cee. You hear Dara crying at night… Youβre never alone. So, no, you canβt possibly understand what Iβm going through.β
βIβm sorry.β
βSo while I appreciate your concern and your caring heart, Iβll ask that you donβt do or say anything to Naomi that would hurt whatever it is I have with her.β
βOf course, Bobby.β I nod. He stands.
βThank you for the soup and stew.β
He escorts me all the way to my car and hugs me. I have actually missed his teddy bear hugs. He has lost so much weight in a short period of time.
βTake care.β
He shuts my door and I steer my car away from his house.
As much as I feel bad for the way I handled what I just witnessed, I am sticking with my guts. And it tells me that things may not go smoothly for them.
ββββΒ ββββΒ ββββ
One of the primary things the event planners in Novocaine Knights are notable for is their ability to organize events on short notice. They are also known to fix the screw-ups of other planners and work under pressure. Being a perceptive boss, Genesis had taken her time to study the lapses of her competitors and turned them into selling points in her own business. Every planner trained under her is skilled with the ability to work wonders within the shortest time given.
This is why it comes as an easy task for the crew when she makes a phone call to each of them with instructions to churn out a modest, yet fabulous wedding for their boss, Wura. They are given only nine hours on the clock to work.
While they get busy, Genesis pays Lexus a visit. It is an awkward moment when Lexus comes to the door and both women stare at each other without speaking. Genesis is eventually invited into the apartment and offered a seat.
βCan we go somewhere instead, so we can talk?β Genesis suggests.
Dressed in nothing but shorts and an oversize tee, Lexus dons on a denim jacket, straps on gladiator sandals and leads Genesis to a small cafΓ© located on the first floor of her art center.
Genesis orders an espresso while Lexus goes for a piece of chocolate cake and water melon juice.
βI like the name of this your art center. Nimiva. A combo of your sister and Evaβs names?β
Lexus nods. Genesis senses she is still upset with her.
βNice. I love the place. Itβs really cool.β
βThanks.β
βSoβ¦ my coming here is about your weddingβ¦β
βOur wedding, you mean?β Lexus says sarcastically.
βYour wedding. First, I want to say Iβm sorry for going against your wishes.β
βYou already said that a hundred times.β
βIt doesnβt change the fact that I am.β Genesis places both of her palms on the sides of her espresso cup as if trying to warm herself up. She is yet to taste it. Lexus, however, is halfway into her cake.
βLex, I love you too much to lose you over this. I really want to give you the best, and not just because itβs good for business. Iβm doing it for you.β
βThen, let me have my wedding the way I want it.β
βYou will. Iβm throwing in the towel. Wedding and reception will go your way.β
Lexus gives her a suspicious stare. βWhatβs the caveat?β
βThereβs no caveat.β
Lexusβ eyes narrow in disbelief. βYouβre lying.β
βI am not. The dayβs all yours. It was stupid of me to try to mess it up.β
Lexus leans back and throws a piece of cake into her mouth. Chewing, she keeps a pointed stare at Genesis who finally takes a sip of her coffee.
βIβm not sure if I should believe you. I have this picture in my head that Iβll come for the reception and everything you planned in that ugly ass black book will be waiting for me.β
Genesis laughs, putting her coffee down. βYou have no reason to fear, Tonbra. Iβve given my word.β
βOkay o. If you say so.β
Genesis switches to another topic. βI saw a huge painting of Eva at the reception. You did it?β
βYup.β
βDidnβt know you do oil paintings? And gosh! Itβs beautiful! It almost made me like Eva, posthumous.β
βI donβt even like Eva posthumous.β
They laugh.
βShe was such a bitch,β Lexus adds.
βWould you do a painting of your dad for his birthday?β
βA painting? Yeah. Sure.β
βIβll pay a fortune for it.β
βYouβd better.β
βI also want to pick a couple of pieces from the gallery for the house. Thereβs one that has a mother and child on the streets, and another that looks like a cluster of houses separated by a street but from far, looks like a tree.β
βThose are expensive pieces, Gen. Iβm even tempted not to sell the one with the mother and child. I should auction it.β
βPlease, donβt. I want it.β
Lexus gives a half-smile. βDad is the art collector. When did you join the league?β
βIβm evolving.β Genesis goes for her phone which begins to ring. βLet me take this.β
Lexus finishes up what is left of her first meal for the day as Genesis gives instructions to one of her employees concerning Wuraβs wedding. She returns to Lexus who asks what the dress code for the wedding is.
βShe told you sheβs getting married?β
βYeah.β
βI was just about to tell you.β
βShe called me earlier. Sheβs so excited. Iβm double-excited for her.β
βAbi?β Genesisβ mouth stretches in a proud smile. βWhen she came to tell me, I wanted to suggest that she and Mahmud wait a couple weeks, get their families involvedβ¦β
βAbeg o!β
βAnd then I recalled all theyβve been through and looking at the conviction and peace in her eyes over her decision just put me in tears. They truly deserve all the happiness in the world.β
βThey do. So, whatβs the dress code?β
βFormal-casual. Deep blue and magenta.β
βAnd which one is magenta again? Is it not pink?β
βA sort of dark kind of pink.β
βCan I just wear jeans and baby pink?β
βWhatever rocks your boatβ¦βGenesisβ phone rings again. βBabe, I have to run. Crazy day ahead.β
βItβs aiit.β
Genesis rises up. βSee you later.β
She starts to leave but Lexus grasps her hand.
βWhat if we make it a two-day wedding affair?β
βWuraβs wedding?β
βMine, silly.β
βOkay? Explain, please.β
βI get my day and you get yours.β
Genesis smiles secretly.
βPlease, throw more light on that.β
Lexus turns in her seat to face her. βThe wedding is on Valβs day and Valβs day is on a Tuesday. I get to do my simple reception. But you can then have your glamorous wedding party four days laterβ¦β
βOn Saturday?β
βYes.β
Genesis gives another discreet smile.
βMine would have no media, no noise. But yoursβ¦go ahead and break all your legs.β
Genesis lowers and kisses Lexus on the cheek. βI love you, baby. See ya!β
Putting a merry spring in her movement, Genesis departs from the cafΓ©. The rest of her day is spent giving Wura what she calls the princess makeover which includes spa and beauty treatment. By 4pm, just an hour to the wedding, Wura is ready to walk down the aisle but is suddenly beset by restless nerves. Thrice, she cancels the wedding. Thrice, Genesis reminds her why she is about to spend the rest of her life with the man she canβt do without.
βJust think of thisβ¦no more religion to tear you guys apart and you can have all the sex in the world without feeling guilty.β
In the end, Wura is flanked by Genesis and Lexus who hold her supportively and lead her into a deluxe car that journeys to a private dock where Mahmud is waiting. He is not alone. Kasiobi, Seyi, Hauwa and a few Novocaine Knights staff are also present.
Wuraβs palms become sweaty as she takes a slow walk to Mahmud who is standing with Pastor Ralph beneath a charmingly-decorated gazebo. Around the dock are balloons, ribbons and flowers in matching colors that mark the theme of the occasion.
When Wura approaches Mahmud, he stretches his hand to her and she takes it.
βYouβre too beautiful for words,β he whispers. βI canβt wait to eat you out tonight.β
βTokunboh?β
They both snicker. Pastor Ralph calls their attention.
βCan we get this ball rolling?β
Wura takes in a full gulp of air and lets it out with a calm smile, eyes caressing Mahmudβs. The dusky sun gives a deific ambience to the setting. Beneath them, a serene body of water gently sways as sounds of the buzz of Lagos resonate in the distance.
Pastor Ralph begins by reading the opening charge, but his words are lost on the lovebirds who continue to hold each otherβs eyes like the world around them doesnβt exist. They return to earth only when it is time to say their vows to each other.
βMahmud, you go first,β Pastor Ralph urges.
Mahmud speaks to Wura. His words, brief but soulful, bring tears to her eyes.
βWuraola?β Pastor Ralph turns to her.
Looking lost, she explains that she didnβt get the time to write down her own vows. βIβm so sorry.β
βItβs okay,β Mahmud says.
βBut can I sing it instead?β
βSure.β
And like one who is always waiting with a song on her lips, Wura through Meghan Trainorβs words, tells Mahmud how she wants to kiss him longer, make the most of the minutes, love with no regrets, take her time to say what she wants, use what she has before itβs all gone, hold him like sheβs saying goodbye and love him like sheβs going to lose him.
When she is through, there is hardly a single dry eye around them.
βWith the power conferred on me by the Lagos state government and God Almighty, I pronounce you husband and wife,β Pastor Ralph declares. βMahmud, you may now kiss your bride.β
In a breathless, unmatched moment where white and magenta-daubed doves are released into the air, Mahmud takes Wuraβs waist and brings her to him, kissing her with untamed pleasure.
In the blink of an eye
Just a whisper of smoke
You could lose everything
The truth is you never know
Β
So Iβll kiss you longer baby
Any chance that I get
Iβll make the most of the minutes and love with no regrets
Β
Letβs take our time
To say what we want
Use what we got
Before itβs all gone
βCause no, weβre not promised tomorrow
Β
So Iβm gonna love you
Like Iβm gonna lose you
Iβm gonna hold you
Like Iβm saying goodbye
Wherever weβre standing
I wonβt take you for granted βcause weβll never know when
When weβll run out of time
So Iβm gonna love you like Iβm gonna lose youβ¦
Β
Β©Sally@moskedapages.com
Images:Β 1dariuswilliams,Β blackfathers,Β blackbride1998
Awwww!!! I’m so happy for Wura and Mahmud.
I hope nothing goes wrong for them again
I pray so too. But I believe it is all well now
Sally, i don’t know how many times I need to say this but you are an AMAZING writer. Your ability to pull out emotions with your word is a God-given talent that I feel privileged to enjoy. I had tears in my eyes while reading this. It’s as if I am a part of the story: feeling every emotion as the characters feel. Kudos my Sister, I appreciate you! God bless you. Amen
Amen! And God bless you as well!
Gosh! I’m a dude and i almost had tears in my eyes.
At last! this couple can go an rest. Thank you sally for giving them a happy ending. What I love is how you easily dish out what other writers keep in the end in the middle of your stories., there’s always a twist and surprise waiting.
Now for Bobby and Nay. I can’t judge them, i’ve been there and i know how loneliness can be as painful as death. you are so used to someone and from nowhere that person is taken away. how do you cope? if nay makes him happy, then Cee should leave them and face her pregnancy
Jide…let Honey not hear about this o. don’t break that woman’s heart.s he don suffer for your hand
Thanks so much, Biodun
I really don’t have the words to describe how you made me feel after reading this story. I just wanna say you are a GREAT WRITER, thanks for always sharing your gift with us. God bless you more.
Bless you too, dear IJ
Woah…breath taking episode
Thank you
Nice one Madam Salz. We always love happy endings.
Don’t we all!
Thank you, Kany
I LOVE LOVE LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE THIS EPISODE.
This indeed made my lunch break worth the while.
Sally, mbok can I come and live in your head.
Mehn, you write soooooooo well, your stories are always amazing.
Thank you for calling the truce with Genesis and Lexus.
Olajideofor, i no see where u go see trouble dey sleep and you go dey wake am. Abeg, i am of the opinion that what you don’t know can never hurt you.
Celia, i don’t know how to explain it, i feel like she cares alot and because of her overprotectiveness she can come off as been blunt and a judgemental person.
Looking forward to Wura’s honeymoon story, Kene and Mary, Hauwa and her Baby boo, Honey and the version of Jide that af catch sense o. Abeg, can’t deal with stories that touch that the heart.
See your mouth like honeymoon. Una don spoil finish for this blog. Hahaha!
Thanks, darling Kemi
Going over to You tube now to search for the Song Wura sang as her vow.
Thanks for adding to my playlist
I hope you liked the song. I prefer the acoustic version, though. The one without John Legend
Awww … nice one
Thank you, Kofo
Awwwww, this is sweet. More grace Sally.
Amen, dear
You’re a darling Sally… i was just smiling to myself while reading this episode, you’re an amazing writer and i pray to God to give you more wisdom and this gift will never be taken away from you in Jesus name. Amen
Thank you for making my day already.
It’s all good, Rolakemi
Have a beautiful week
Tears…. Of joys
?????????
π π π
I LOVE LOVE LOVE U SALLY. every episode is deep n touches me.God bless u for me. thank you.
You’re welcome, darling
Sally you really know how to make one’s day! Thanks. Happy married life Wura and My mood.
My pleasure π
Sally!!! Here I was missing you and you came back with a bang, you are such a great writer, thanks for the long and emotional episode……
You’re always welcome
OH SALLY
that is all i can actually type right now…my eyes are waterlogged !
We thank God for happy tears π
I’m so happy for Wura and Mahmud, finally they are together. That little child better not be Jide’s. Thank u sally
It’s worth the wait. I love love this.
Happy for Wura, but will gambling addiction just disappear?
Jide why look for trouble now?
Amazing episode, worth the wait. Jide is being a real gentleman because na get out of trouble free card Amata dey give am so and he doesn’t want. A very happy episode this which makes me scared for the next one.
Thanks ms Sally. As always, you rock.
Hurray my wura finally get her happy ever after, and uncle jide abeg please come and tell me what exactly is your problem. mam sally you are tensome.
dis is beautiful and nice. happy for woo woo and mymood, hope we get to kno hw he EAT her . “naughty me” missed seyi and Huawei part, tanz sal
Thanks Sally! This is beautiful! I was moved to tears.
Thank you for Mymood and Woo’s happy ending. Cee please allow them deal with their grief however they can, as long as they aren’t hurting anyone.
Dear Sally, I’m in awe. How can one person be this amazing and talented. I love you. Plenty homo! Lol. I appreciate your work. Totally worth the wait
Finally finally Mymood can bang as they like no religion tearing them apart ..happy for them
Now what’s wrong with jide nau
thanks u made my day complete
Wura and my mood….their love is so beautiful!
Thank u Sally, I actually had tears in my eyes while reading this episode
I am in tears right now….am glad wura and MyMood finally did the do, Lex and Gen made up.
Bobby and Nay,you will be okay
Sally I especially love how your stories are realistic and relatable, I mean its not all sweet peaches for your characters, you show us how they navigate through the curves and peaks of life.
I really think your stories can make the BIG screen, yea you are that good
Wow… Wow… Wow.. This is amazing
Waaaaaaaaaaawu. ..
Lucky Wura and Mahmoud, they finally got their happily ever after. Well, i can’t blame Jide for wanting to be sure whether the baby is his or not because of the future, so no one will come out of the blues claiming he or she is his. Wonderful episode, kudos Sally and more inspiration to you.
I’m so happy for Woo and Mahmoud! They finally get their happiness! Well done Sally
I enjoyed it , thanks Sally
Wow.. Happy Married Life to Woo & my mood.. looking forward to ur honeymoon… Thanks ma’am Sally, u are d best
Savoured every word of this episode.
I can at least understand (a little) where Jide’s restlessness might be coming from : his father, mother and the issue of his chubby adopted sister. Imagine Amata’s child springing up on Honey in the future…
I’m surprised Wura and Mahmood could sort out their differences. Kudos to them, and marriage comes with its own challenges. They should brace up.
Celia is probably right,but her approach…issokay!
Lexus and Gen… we thank God for their lives…lol.
Wonderful episode,madam Sally. Waited all weekend for something…anything (lol) from your blog. Wasn’t disappointed, and well worth the wait. God bless you real good.
Happy married life Mr&Mrs Mymood Suleman. Jide is so doing the right thing, he is saving his marriage and ensuring nobody knocks his door in future with the story of its your baby and come and scatter his family. Bobby and Nay I can’t judge you. Sally good job as usual
No I should sleep, then read in the morning. Let me just read, and comment in the morning…
When I type “nice one Sally”, it’s much more than those words. I can’t start doing the required wahala to look for the words to describe your works ni. Your ink won’t ever run dry, and your muse won’t ever desert you.
I feel for Jide in a way, but if I were to be in his shoes, i’ll try hard to let wahala go. What he’s looking for might end up haunting him.
For Celia, it’s hard for her kind of person to carry eye for other people matter but it won’t do her no bad. Life has a way of setting people up, and we ccan do very little about it. Make she free Shady and Naomi jere. The whole thing fit go either way.
Lucky Mahmood! Fate sent back Wura when he was steady romancing the self destruct button. Hoping they gon’ find a way.
And of course for Lex and Gen, this buttresses the point that very few options trump dialogue. Glad they both backed down and found a common ground as a result.
Jideofor, stop disturbing ursef n she is urs wen DNA result is out, den, wat is nexts o. Celia can b so annoying, stubborn and caring shaa. Hmmm, Bobby n Naomi, hope dia is sliver lining @ d end of dia cloud shaa.
Mymood n Woo is nyc of dem going d whole hog afta all d waiting. More blessing into dia Union o.
Lexus n Genesis just happy 4 both of dem sheathing dia sword n cuming to roost on a common ground.
Nice one again Sally, u re always d Best. Much love Xoxo
Thank you Sally………*kisses*
wow! Sally u r the best! am so happy for wura and Mahmud…. finally got married… and Lexus too agreeing to have a blast wedding, i love Genesis so much she is a good step mother, a friend and an adviser.. someone who values friendship than a name.. i love so much… Sally u made my day Thank you so much! you remain the best still….
Oh! Sally, this was worth the wait. This episode is so beautiful, u are so amazing. I loved it. Thank you and God bless u and ur family
Nice one Aunty Sall, really love dis episode, i pray mahmood and wura av a happy ending, and as for jide,vi think he wanna foul inside penalty box, and you penalty is very dangerous
Awwwwwww ???????? my song, the remix with John Legend is the best. This episode is so beautiful and very deep. Thank you for it. I hope Jide knows wat he’s doing (trouble dey sleep, yang a go wake am. We all know what he’s looking for) Bobby and Nay….I’d like to see how dat turns out. I love your new picture by the way ?
Jide should let sleeping dogs lie abeg.
So happy for Wura and Mahmood. Took a lot of work but I’m so glad they finally get their happy ever after. Something tells me pastor Ralph wasn’t being entirely honest tho.
Yaay!! Mymood and Wo wo finally got married!
I hope Jideofor’s quest for the truth doesn’t ruin amata’s home, he’s thinking about himself alone and not the other parties involved.
Nay and Bobby need each other for now, when the case is over, they can figure the rest out.
Celia, needs to chill.
Sally, I haven’t been getting updates o, have you changed your site? It was Google App that notified me that your page had a new update since its one of my favorite sites. Please help.
I have read it threw times and still lost for words to describe this episode. ……..its super oho! Happy Wura and Mymood got there in the end. I hope their strong love for one other will help them scale the hills and mountains of marriage. You are too good a writer. Someone said they want to get into your head. I think I may join them and even live so I don’t have to wait a long time for the next episode. Thanks once again for a mind blowing piece.
can’t wait for the next episode.. so in love with the story. Kudos to Sally
Finally yaay!!!mymood and Wura finally got married ??????????Last episode’s suspense almost gave me a heart attack but am so happy for them. Looking forward to their juicy honeymoon details ??And am so downloading the beautiful song she sang. Oga Jide be careful oooo don’t break aunty Honey’s heart with this your yeye curiousity. As for Bobby and Nancy well they are both adults plus I think Celia is caring just overprotective but wonderful in her own way.
Your stories affirm my belief in true love despite all the darkness in the world. Thanks Sally!
Delirious
Amazing finally wura and mo did it, sally please don’t cause trouble btw jide and honey I take God beg you.
Firstly, Weldone Sally. I feel touched by the lyrics of that song. Reminds me John Legend’s song Love me now. Secondly, I love the pics you inserted at that Mahmood and Bilial junction. I really hope to have such friendship with my son.
Overall, this episode made me melancholic. From Jide’s timeout to Wura to Gen/Lex. Ahhhh. I guess part of me identifies with Mahmood. Why does Peace’s secret aspirations seem to be similar to mine sef…..
Ngwanu! Sally odikwa too much
the fearv of the unknown sumtimes kills most. madam sally am feeling u more and more everyday
Wow! Wow! Wow!!!! I think we all agree that we needed this episode. It’s ironic that the one couple in this series I thought would never reach the promise land ended up as the true mvp. My mood, my nigga. I’m happy for this dude. I’m happy for wura. They’ve been through so, so much. They deserve this ending.
As for that bitch nigga Jide, until someone treats your fuck up…
So so happy for Woo and Mymood…and that song, Gosh!!! So Romantic. I know Wura’s love will definitely heal Mymood of all his excesses. Thanks Sally for bringing these Two back together despite their many storms
Yessssss, finally……Wura & Mymood got married, at last.
Thank You Sally ?????